Greenville, S.C. (May 24, 2021) — Nine graduate student leaders from BJU Seminary were recently awarded the Marshall Neal Scholarship for godly character and high scholastic achievement while preparing for ordained ministry.
The recipients include:
Trevin Ascher of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, who is pursuing a master in divinity degree with a concentration in preaching and pastoral ministry. Ascher will assume the position of assistant pastor at Engleside Baptist Church Alexandria, Virginia, this summer.
Collins Barnor of Accra, Ghana, who is working toward a master of arts in apologetics with the goal of pastoring a church in his home country.
Jonathon Davis of Greenville, South Carolina, who is pursuing a doctor of philosophy in theology. Davis is currently involved in ministry to teens and intends to advance pastoral training by pursuing a career teaching Bible at the collegiate level.
Jackson Lawson of Spotsylvania, Virginia, who is pursuing a master of arts degree in biblical counseling and actively involved in a biblical counseling mentorship program within his local church.
Shadrach Nyeko of Karuma, Uganda, who completed a master of arts in biblical language and literature and is currently planting a church in Karuma while undertaking studies for a doctorate in Old Testament interpretation.
Alwin Reimer of Salzkotten, Germany, who is working towards a doctor of philosophy degree in theological studies. Currently, he is serving as a Christian school teacher as well as helping plant a church in his community.
John Schaaf of Winnemucca, Nevada, who is pursuing a master of divinity degree with the intention of serving as a missionary pastor or a military chaplain.
Daniel Steeves of Greenville, South Carolina, who is pursuing a master of divinity degree and will soon commence a pastoral residency/internship in New Brunswick, Canada.
Tim Warren of Greenville, South Carolina, who is currently involved in youth ministry at University Baptist Church and is working toward starting churches in Japan upon the completion of his studies for a master of divinity.
The Marshall Neal Scholarship was founded and funded in 2008 in honor of the late Dr. Marshall Neal. In addition to serving as a professor of Greek, systematic theology and Bible for 50 years at BJU and as the longtime dean of the School of Religion, Neal was also an interim pastor in two churches. The scholarship program exemplifies the Neal family’s and BJU Seminary’s shared commitment to make ministry training more accessible and affordable for the next generation of pastors.
BJU Seminary recently announced its 500 x 5 x 5 strategic vision to put 500 pastors on the path to the pulpit in the next five years to help address a nationwide shortage of pastors. Information on the 500 x 5 x 5 vision and BJU Seminary’s program and offerings is available at seminary.bju.edu.
